Campfire safety apparatus

ABSTRACT

The campfire safety apparatus shields people and animals from unintentional contact with a campfire. The apparatus encloses the fire ring of a campfire to protect potential burn victims from the flames or smoldering coals. The apparatus may be a single unitary unit for permanent installations or the apparatus may be constructed of a number of rigid interlocking safety panels joined together to create an apparatus that is portable. The top edge, or upper rail, of the apparatus is above the campfire flame height such that a child or adult cannot trip over the apparatus and fall into the fire ring. The interlocking rigid safety panels incorporate cooperating pin receivers that lock the panels together when a pin is inserted. In certain embodiments the pins extend through the cooperating pin receivers and terminate into the ground to anchor the apparatus and increase its ability to resist tipping over.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of campfires, in particular,to a safety apparatus for placement around a campfire so as to preventaccidental contact with the flames and high temperature embers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Campfire burns account for over 65% of all recreational burns in manyareas of the country. Additionally, over 50% of such recreational burnsare inflicted upon children. While many campfire burns are a result ofdirect contact with an open flame, an alarming number are the result ofcontact with smoldering embers. This is due to the fact that people aremuch more careful around an open flame than a pile of embers.

Adults and children seem to be drawn to open campfires. They are oftenmesmerized by the open flames and have a tendency to want to play withthe fire by poking it, or adding fuel to the flames. Some of the dangersassociated with campfires have been reduced through the wide-spread useof fire rings. Today, campfires are generally created within a fire ringwhich houses the logs, or other fuel, and a portion of the flames. Firerings are generally made of steel and are 28″ to 34″ in diameter and 12″to 18″ high. The prime benefit of creating a campfire within a fire ringis that the flames are restrained horizontally, thereby minimizing thelikelihood of flames spreading and causing unintended fires.

Fire rings do however have some drawbacks. For instance, a camper cannotspread out the ashes and embers of a campfire that was created within afire ring. Accordingly, the ashes and embers remain tightly confined inthe fire ring and remain hot much longer than if even slightly spreadabout. Additionally, children often mistake fire rings filled with ashesfor sandboxes. This is compounded by the fact that many campers use sandto extinguish their campfires. This practice actually permits the coalsto burn for hours, further heightening the risk to children. Further,countless burns are the result of a camper contacting the metalstructure of the fire ring because they failed to appreciate that thesurface temperature of the fire ring is often several hundred degreesFahrenheit. Lastly, fire rings create a tripping hazard for theinattentive camper chasing a frisbee during the day or stumbling aroundthe campsite after dark.

Campers currently lack the appropriate device to protect themselves fromthe dangers associated with fire rings, and their contents. Accordingly,the art has needed a campfire safety device that surrounds the campfirefire ring and prevents individuals and animals from unintentionalcontact with fire rings, and their contents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In its most general configuration, the present invention advances thestate of the art with a variety of new capabilities and overcomes manyof the shortcomings of prior devices in new and novel ways. In its mostgeneral sense, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings andlimitations of the prior art in any of a number of generally effectiveconfigurations. The instant invention demonstrates such capabilities andovercomes many of the shortcomings of prior methods in new and novelways.

The campfire safety apparatus of the present invention shields peopleand animals from unintentional contact with a campfire, or the productsthereof. Generally, a campfire is created within a fire ring whichconstrains a plurality of logs, or other fuel, and a portion of theflames. The flames resulting from a campfire created within a fire ringare restrained horizontally and generally extend vertically less than24″ from the top of the fire ring. Installation of the campfire safetyapparatus around the fire ring creates an effective barrier forshielding potential burn victims from the flames or smoldering coals.

The entire apparatus may be a single unitary unit for permanent mountingaround campsite fire rings, or the apparatus may be constructed of anumber of rigid safety panels releasably joined together to create anapparatus that is portable for easy transport by weekend campers. Oneimportant attribute of the apparatus is that the top edge, or upperrail, is above the campfire flame height such that a child or adultcannot trip over the apparatus and fall into the fire ring.Additionally, the lower edge of the apparatus, or lower rail, of therigid safety panel generally contacts the ground so that the apparatusserves as an effective barrier over its entire height.

The size and construction of the rails may vary with the particularapplication. For instance, permanent installations may utilize heavygauge components, while portable embodiments incorporate lighter gaugecomponents to minimize the weight of the panels. Rail spacing creatingopening sizes of less than one square foot has been found to beparticularly effective for portable embodiments. Such spacing allowseasy access through the panels for cooking or rearranging the fuel, yetprevents adults, children, and animals from entry into the fire ring.

Portable embodiments include a plurality of portable interlocking rigidsafety panels. Such interlocking rigid safety panels incorporatecooperating pin receivers that lock the panels together when a pin isinserted. In certain embodiments the pins extend through the cooperatingpin receivers and terminate into the ground to anchor the apparatus andincrease its ability to resist tipping over. Further embodimentsincorporate specific devices to enhance the anchoring capabilities ofthe pin.

Additionally, any of the rigid safety panels may further includemultiple sections to facilitate access to the fire ring for cooking,moving logs, or any number of other activities. Such multiple sectionsmay be configured to rotate vertically, thereby creating a fold-downdoor, or horizontally, thereby creating a side-swinging door or gate. Afurther embodiment of the apparatus may include a rigid top panel tototally enclose the campfire. The campfire safety apparatus may alsoincorporate any number of campfire accessory tools that convenientlyattach to the rigid safety panel. Such tools may include a prep tablefor preparing items for barbecuing, a hanger apparatus for holdingcooking tools, log pokers, and any other tool that may be needed arounda campfire. Additionally, the apparatus may incorporate auxiliarysupports to secure the apparatus to the campfire fire ring and enhancethe stability of the apparatus.

These variations, modifications, alternatives, and alterations of thevarious preferred embodiments may be used alone or in combination withone another as will become more readily apparent to those with skill inthe art with reference to the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below andreferring now to the drawings and figures:

FIG. 1 shows an elevated perspective view of the apparatus, not toscale;

FIG. 2 shows an elevated perspective view of the apparatus, not toscale;

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of the apparatus, not to scale;

FIG. 4 shows an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of theapparatus, not to scale;

FIG. 5 shows an elevated perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 4,not to scale;

FIG. 6 shows an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of theapparatus, not to scale;

FIG. 7 shows an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of theapparatus, not to scale; and

FIG. 8 shows an elevated perspective view of an embodiment of theapparatus, not to scale.

Also, in the various figures and drawings, the following referencesymbols and letters are used to identify the various elements describedherein below in connection with the several figures and illustrations:F, G, L, and R.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The campfire safety apparatus 50 of the instant invention enables asignificant advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodimentsof the apparatus 50 accomplish this by new and novel arrangements ofelements and methods that are configured in unique and novel ways andwhich demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirablecapabilities. The detailed description set forth below in connectionwith the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to representthe only form in which the present invention may be constructed orutilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, andmethods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustratedembodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same orequivalent functions and features may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the campfire safety apparatus 50 of the presentinvention shields people and animals from unintentional contact with acampfire. Generally, a campfire is created within a fire ring R whichconstrains a plurality of logs L, or other fuel, and a portion of theflames F, as illustrated throughout. Fire rings R are generally 28″ to34″ in diameter and 12″ to 18″ high. Fire rings R are commonlyconstructed of sections of 55 gallon drums. The flames F resulting froma campfire created within a fire ring R are restrained horizontally andextend vertically less than 24″ from the top of the fire ring R.Installation of the campfire safety apparatus 50 around the fire ring Rcreates an effective barrier for shielding potential victims from theflames F.

With reference now to FIG. 2, the campfire safety apparatus 50 mayinclude at least one rigid safety panel 100 having a lower rail 110, anupper rail 120, and a plurality of interconnected intermediate rails150. The entire apparatus 50 may be a single unitary unit for permanentmounting around campsite fire rings R, or the apparatus 50 may beconstructed of a number of rigid safety panels 100 releasably joinedtogether to create an apparatus 50 that is portable for easy transportby weekend campers. Similarly, the apparatus 50 may be virtually anygeometric configuration including, but not limited to, the rectangularconfiguration of FIG. 2 or the circular configuration of FIG. 6. Oneimportant attribute of the apparatus 50 is that the upper rail 120 isabove the campfire flame F height such that a child or adult cannot tripover the apparatus 50 and fall into the fire ring R. The height of theupper rail 120 above the open flame F, dimension 400 in FIG. 3, variesbut experimentation has shown that an upper rail 120 height ofapproximately 36″ above the ground G ensures that the upper rail 120 istypically at least 12″ above the flames F.

The lower rail 110 of the rigid safety panel 100 generally contacts theground G so that the apparatus 50 serves as an effective barrier overits entire height, from the lower rail 110 to the upper rail 120. Theintermediate rails 150 provide structural integrity and increase theeffectiveness of the panels 100 as a barrier. The intermediate rails 150may be interconnected to further increase the strength and rigidity ofthe safety panel 100. Further, the spacing of the rails 110, 120, 130,140, 150 may be uniform, variable, vertical and horizontal, or at anangle. For instance, the rails 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 may be closetogether nearer the lower rail 110 and gradually expand nearer the upperrail 120.

Similarly, the size and construction of the rails 110, 120, 130, 140 andintermediate rails 150 may vary with the particular application. Forinstance, permanent installations may utilize heavy gauge components,while portable embodiments incorporate lighter gauge components tominimize the weight of the panels 100. As such, a free area ratio of atleast fifty percent has been found effective for permanent installationembodiments, while it may be desirable for portable embodiments to havea free area ratio of at least eighty-five percent. As used herein, thefree area ratio is the ratio of unobstructed free area to the total areaof the of the rigid safety panel 100. Experimentation has shown that apreferred construction for a portable embodiment consists of the use of½″ diameter steel rod for the perimeter rail (lower 110, upper 120,first sidewall 130, second sidewall 140) and ¼″ diameter steel rod forthe intermediate rails 150. Additionally, one with skill in the art willrecognize that it may be preferable to finish the components withcorrosion-resistant high-temperature paint. Further, rail spacingcreating opening sizes of less than one square foot has been found to beparticularly effective. Such spacing allows easy access through thepanels 100 for cooking or rearranging the fuel, yet prevents adults,children, and animals from entry into the fire ring R.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in the embodiments having a plurality ofportable interlocking rigid safety panels 100, each panel 100 has alower rail 110, an upper rail 120, a first sidewall rail 130 having apin receiver 132, and a second sidewall rail 140 having a pin receiver142. The pin receivers 132, 142 on adjacent rigid safety panels 100cooperate to receive a pin 200, having a proximal end 210 and a distalend 220 that releasably secures the adjacent panels 100 together. In oneparticularly effective and economical embodiment, the pin receivers 132,142 are constructed of sections of ¼″ pipe.

In one embodiment the distal end 220 of at least one of the pins 200extends through the cooperating pin receivers 132, 142 and terminatesinto the ground to anchor the apparatus 50, as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG.3. Such anchoring increases the ability of the apparatus 50 to resisttipping over. Further embodiments incorporate specific devices toenhance the anchoring capabilities of the pin 200. One such device,illustrated in FIG. 5, incorporates an arrowhead shaped anchor 222 onthe distal end 220 of at least one of the pins 200 to facilitate easyingress of the distal end 220 into the ground, resist egress from theground, and prevent rotation. An alternative embodiment, also shown inFIG. 5, includes a screw 224 on the distal end 220 of the pin 200 tofacilitate easy ingress of the distal end 220 into the ground and resistunintended egress from the ground. The proximal end 210 of the pin 200may include a stop 212 to prevent the pin 200 from sliding through thecooperating pin receivers 132, 142, as shown in FIG. 2. The stop 212 maybe formed simply by bending the proximal end 210 of the pin so that itcannot pass through the pin receivers 132, 142, or incorporating a nutor washer at the proximal end 210.

Any of the portable interlocking rigid safety panels 100 may furtherinclude multiple sections to facilitate access to the fire ring R forcooking, moving logs L, or any number of other activities. Oneembodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, incorporates an upperpanel section 160 and a lower panel section 170. The sections 160, 170are rotably joined at an intermediate rail 150 so that the upper panelsection 160 may rotate down about an intermediate hinge 180 to permitgreater access to the campfire fire ring R and its contents. Thisembodiment may also incorporate a retainer 190 to secure the upper panelsection 160 in place when greater access is not required. The apparatus50 may also incorporate embodiments having multiple panel sections thatrotate horizontally rather than vertically, thereby creating a gate ordoor to the fire ring R.

A further embodiment of the apparatus 50 may include a rigid top panel600 to totally enclose the campfire, as seen in FIG. 8. The rigid toppanel 600 has a perimeter rail 610 and a plurality of interconnectedintermediate rails 620, wherein the perimeter rail 610 cooperates withthe rigid safety panel upper rail 120 to prevent unintentional contactwith the campfire from above the upper rail 120. The top panel 600 maybe connected to any of the rigid safety panels 100 via a hinge 630 sothat the top panel 600 may be easily lifted and propped open when accessto the fire ring R is necessary.

The campfire safety apparatus 50 may further include any number ofcampfire accessory tools 300 having a plurality of connection devices310 that cooperate with the rails of the rigid safety panel 100 toreleasably fasten the tool 300 to the rigid safety panel 100. Such tools300 may include a prep table for preparing items for barbecuing, ahanger apparatus for holding cooking tools, log pokers, and any othertool that may be needed around a campfire. The prep table illustrated inFIG. 2 includes interlocking arms 312 to secure the table to the panel100 and an angle support 314 to further stabilize the table.

To further increase the stability of the apparatus 50 it may incorporateauxiliary supports 500 to secure the apparatus 50 to the campfire firering R. The auxiliary supports 500 may incorporate a telescoping rod 510with a distal end 512 and a proximal end 516, a fire ring pad 514attached to the distal end to rigidly secure the support 500 to the firering R, and a panel interface 518 at the proximal end 516 to rigidlysecure the support 500 to the rigid safety panel 100. The adjustabilityof the telescoping rod 510 permits the auxiliary support 500 to be usedwith fire rings R of different diameters.

Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferredembodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in theart and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within thespirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, althoughspecific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill inthe art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variationscan be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and oradditional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements,and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only fewvariations of the present invention are described herein, it is to beunderstood that the practice of such additional modifications andvariations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the following claims. The correspondingstructures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plusfunction elements in the claims below are intended to include anystructure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combinationwith other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

1. A campfire safety apparatus for installation around a campfire firering creating a barrier shielding people and animals from unintentionalcontact with the campfire, comprising: at least one rigid safety panelhaving a lower rail, an upper rail, and a plurality of interconnectedintermediate rails providing structural integrity and increasing thepanel's effectiveness as a barrier, wherein the rigid safety panelencloses a campfire and the upper rail is above the campfire flameheight.
 2. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein the freearea ratio of the rigid safety panel is at least fifty percent.
 3. Thecampfire safety apparatus of claim 1, wherein the free area ratio of therigid safety panel is at least eight-five percent.
 4. The campfiresafety apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one rigid safety panelfor enclosing a campfire consists of a plurality of portableinterlocking rigid safety panels, each having a lower rail, an upperrail, a first sidewall rail having a pin receiver, and a second sidewallrail having a pin receiver, wherein the pin receivers on adjacent rigidsafety panels cooperate to receive a pin, having a proximal end and adistal end, that releasably secures the adjacent panels together.
 5. Thecampfire safety apparatus of claim 4, wherein the distal end of at leastone of the pins extends through the cooperating pin receivers andterminates into the ground to anchor the apparatus.
 6. The campfiresafety apparatus of claim 5, further including an anchor on the distalend of at least one of the pins to facilitate easy ingress of the distalend into the ground, resist egress from the ground, and preventrotation.
 7. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 5, further includinga screw on the distal end of at least one of the pins to facilitate easyingress of the distal end into the ground and resist unintended egressfrom the ground.
 8. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 4, whereinone of the portable interlocking rigid safety panels has an upper panelsection and a lower panel section, the sections are rotably joined sothat the upper panel section may rotate down about an intermediate hingeto permit greater access to the campfire fire ring and its contents, andhaving a retainer to secure the upper panel section in place whengreater access is not required.
 9. The campfire safety apparatus ofclaim 2, further including a rigid top panel having a perimeter rail anda plurality of interconnected intermediate rails, wherein the perimeterrail cooperates with the rigid safety panel upper rail to preventunintentional contact with the campfire from above the upper rail. 10.The campfire safety apparatus of claim 2, further including a campfireaccessory tool having a plurality of connection devices that cooperatewith the rails of the rigid safety panel to releasably fasten the toolto the rigid safety panel.
 11. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 2,further including a plurality of auxiliary supports to secure theapparatus to the campfire fire ring thereby further adding stability tothe apparatus.
 12. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe auxiliary supports have a telescoping rod with a distal end and aproximal end, a fire ring pad attached to the distal end to rigidlysecure the support to the fire ring, and a panel interface at theproximal end to rigidly secure the support to the rigid safety panel.13. A campfire safety apparatus for installation around a campfire firering creating a barrier shielding people and animals from unintentionalcontact with the campfire, comprising: a plurality of portableinterlocking rigid safety panels, each having a lower rail, an upperrail, a first sidewall rail having a pin receiver, and a second sidewallrail having a pin receiver, wherein the pin receivers on adjacent rigidsafety panels cooperate to receive a pin, having a proximal end and adistal end, that releasably secures the adjacent panels together, and aplurality of interconnected intermediate rails providing structuralintegrity and increasing the panels effectiveness as a barrier, whilemaintaining a free area ratio of the rigid safety panel of at leasteighty-five percent, wherein the rigid safety panel encloses a campfireand the upper rail is above the campfire flame height.
 14. The campfiresafety apparatus of claim 13, wherein the distal end of at least one ofthe pins extends through the cooperating pin receivers and terminatesinto the ground to anchor the apparatus.
 15. The campfire safetyapparatus of claim 14, further including an anchor on the distal end ofat least one of the pins to facilitate easy ingress of the distal endinto the ground, resist egress from the ground, and prevent rotation.16. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 14, further including a screwon the distal end of at least one of the pins to facilitate easy ingressof the distal end into the ground and resist unintended egress from theground.
 17. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 13, wherein one ofthe portable interlocking rigid safety panels has an upper panel sectionand a lower panel section, the sections are rotably joined so that theupper panel section may rotate down about an intermediate hinge topermit greater access to the campfire fire ring and its contents, andhaving a retainer to secure the upper panel section in place whengreater access is not required.
 18. The campfire safety apparatus ofclaim 13, further including a rigid top panel having a perimeter railand a plurality of interconnected intermediate rails, wherein theperimeter rail cooperates with the rigid safety panel upper rail toprevent unintentional contact with the campfire from above the upperrail.
 19. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 13, further including acampfire accessory tool having a plurality of connection devices thatcooperate with the rails of the rigid safety panel to releasably fastenthe tool to the rigid safety panel.
 20. The campfire safety apparatus ofclaim 13, further including a plurality of auxiliary supports to securethe apparatus to the campfire fire ring thereby further adding stabilityto the apparatus.
 21. The campfire safety apparatus of claim 20, whereinthe auxiliary supports have a telescoping rod with a distal end and aproximal end, a fire ring pad attached to the distal end to rigidlysecure the support to the fire ring, and a panel interface at theproximal end to rigidly secure the support to the rigid safety panel.22. A campfire safety apparatus for installation around a campfire firering creating a barrier shielding people and animals from unintentionalcontact with the campfire, comprising: a plurality of portableinterlocking rigid safety panels, each having a lower rail, an upperrail, a first sidewall rail having a pin receiver, and a second sidewallrail having a pin receiver, wherein the pin receivers on adjacent rigidsafety panels cooperate to receive a pin, having a proximal end and adistal end, that releasably secures the adjacent panels together andterminates into the ground with an anchor to facilitate easy ingress ofthe distal end into the ground, resist egress from the ground, andprevent rotation, and a plurality of interconnected intermediate railsproviding structural integrity and increasing the panels effectivenessas a barrier, while maintaining a free area ratio of the rigid safetypanel of at least eighty-five percent, wherein the rigid safety panelencloses a campfire and the upper rail is above the campfire flameheight.